System and method providing bi-directional communication services between a service provider and a plurality of subscribers

Abstract

A telecommunications system for bi-directional communication services between a service provider and a plurality of subscribers wherein return signals associated with the bi-directional communication services utilize a first frequency band. The system includes a head-end facility for sending forward signals from the service provider and for receiving return signals from one or more of the subscribers; at least one main distribution line extending from the head-end facility; a plurality of feeder lines for serving the plurality of subscribers, each feeder line being connected to the main distribution line at a feeder tap location; a local distribution amplifier unit disposed in the main distribution line between the head-end facility and the feeder tap locations, the amplifier unit including forward-path amplifier circuitry for amplifying forward signals traveling from the service provider to the subscribers, the amplifier unit further including return-path amplifier circuitry for amplifying return signals traveling from one or more of the subscribers to the service provider; and a return-path filter disposed between the head-end facility and the feeder tap locations, the return-path filter being operable to attenuate signals outside the first frequency band while allowing signals within the first frequency band to pass substantially unattenuated, whereby the return-path filter reduces transmission of ingress noise from each of the plurality of subscribers.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A telecommunications system for bi-directional communication services between a service provider and a plurality of subscribers wherein return signals associated with the bi-directional communication services utilize a first frequency band, comprising: 
       a head-end facility for sending forward signals from the service provider and for receiving return signals from one or more of the subscribers;  
       at least one main distribution line extending from the head-end facility;  
       a plurality of feeder lines for serving the plurality of subscribers, each feeder line being connected to the main distribution line at a feeder tap location;  
       a local distribution amplifier unit disposed in the main distribution line between the head-end facility and the feeder tap locations, the amplifier unit including forward-path amplifier circuitry for amplifying forward signals traveling from the service provider to the subscribers, the amplifier unit further including return-path amplifier circuitry for amplifying return signals traveling from one or more of the subscribers to the service provider, and a port in the return-path circuitry for receiving an optional plug-in electrical device; and  
       a return-path filter installed in the port of the local distribution amplifier, the return-path filter being operable to attenuate signals outside said first frequency band while allowing signals within said first frequency band to pass substantially unattenuated, whereby the return-path filter reduces transmission of ingress noise from each of the plurality of subscribers.  
     
     
       2. The telecommunications system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of the main distribution lines connected to the head-end facility in a hub-and-spoke arrangement, a plurality of the distribution amplifier units respectively coupled with the main distribution lines, wherein each amplifier unit includes a port for receiving an optional plug-in electrical device, and wherein one of the return-path filters is installed in the port of each amplifier unit. 
     
     
       3. A method for providing bi-directional communication services between a service provider and a plurality of subscribers, the method comprising: 
       transmitting forward signals associated with the bi-directional communication services from the service provider to the subscribers in a forward direction along a main distribution line and a plurality of feeder lines respectively connected to the main distribution line at feeder tap locations;  
       transmitting return signals associated with the bi-directional communication services from the subscribers to the service provider in a return direction along the respective feeder lines and the main distribution line, the return signals utilizing a first frequency band, the return signals being amplified by return-path amplifier circuitry contained in the distribution amplifier, the distribution amplifier having a port in the return-path circuitry for receiving an optional plug-in electrical device; and  
       passing the return signals through a return-path filter installed in the port in the distribution amplifier, the return-path filter attenuating signals outside the first frequency band while allowing signals within the first frequency band to pass substantially unattenuated, whereby the return-path filter reduces ingress noise from each of the plurality of subscribers.